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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 109
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How do my Spark Plugs look???
Hey guys,
Refurbished the ignition system on my fairly new to me 87 3.2 coupe. The car has 52K miles. These plugs are 15 years old and have done about 10K miles within those 15 years. All plugs looks very similar and from left to right are cylinders #1 through to #6. I replaced the platinum plugs with NGK copper plugs. Thanks for the input! Mark        And a picture of the car in question... 
Last edited by Dubbin'; 06-25-2015 at 07:33 AM.. |
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06-25-2015, 06:16 AM
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cycling has-been
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Jersey Shore
Posts: 7,238
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I'll play
Those could probably go another 10,000 miles with a proper re-gap. Were you having performance issues? Bad move switching to NGK. Bill K oh,........and how about a few track days to clean off some of the carbon buildup in the combustion chambers?
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73 911T MFI, 76 912E, 77 Turbo Carrera Last edited by bkreigsr; 06-25-2015 at 07:20 AM.. |
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06-25-2015, 06:57 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2014
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Sharp car! plugs look pretty good as well.
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06-25-2015, 06:58 AM
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Canada
Posts: 219
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I hope my plugs look that good!!
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06-25-2015, 07:12 AM
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: St Louis
Posts: 4,211
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Is that a picture of a piece of the plug missing?
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Rick 88 Cab |
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06-25-2015, 07:13 AM
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Quote:
I was experiencing a WOT bucking at high RPM which I thought was ignition related although I believe is fuel related. The bucking greatly disapeared with the NGK and Magnecore wires, although it did happen once or twice recently... Why are the NGK plugs such a bad choice? I read lenthly threads about plugs and there were more people happy with the NGK's than with the Platinum plugs?! I agree it does need to get a good beating. I'm doing what I can until I get it to where I want it to be :-). Thanks, Mark |
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06-25-2015, 07:42 AM
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Quote:
Mark |
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06-25-2015, 07:43 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MYR S.C.
Posts: 17,321
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they look fine.
DO NOT use those plugs. use regular copper plugs. bosch or NGK i was running those in my mazda pickup just because that is what the guy always handed me and i really did not care. one day i thought i would just try some autolite crap. the truck ran better and my mileage went up 3-4mpg.
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86 930 94kmiles [_  _] RUNNING:[__] NOT RUNNING: ____77 911S widebody: SOLD88 BMW 325is 200K+ SOLD 03 BMW 330CI 220K:: [_ _] RUNNING: [__] NOT RUNNING:01 suburban 330K:: [_ _] RUNNING: [__] NOT RUNNING:RACE CAR:: sold |
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06-25-2015, 08:24 AM
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Schleprock
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Frankfort IL USA
Posts: 16,639
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A lot of the guys in shops who service these cars all the time find that the platinum plugs are less than ideal for this ignition system. Cars that come in with mild driveability problems like a slight miss or hesitation, the first thing the guys often check is the plugs. If they're platinum, they swap them out for copper.
You can't go wrong with the proper heat range Bosch or NGK copper plugs. Typical NGK plug for a 3.2 Carrera is BPR6ES A lot of people scoff at Autolite plugs but they're actually a good solid plug. I believe the recommended plug for the 3.2 is Autolite 64
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Kevin L '86 Carrera "Larry" |
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06-25-2015, 08:48 AM
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82 SC , 72 914 |
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06-25-2015, 09:50 AM
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Quote:
Thanks, Mark |
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06-25-2015, 10:06 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 249
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I've been using NGK plugs in 3 cars for over 25 years. Never had a problem
Tom
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68 Beetle 68 to 72 sold 72 911T Nov 71 to present P/U @ factory Nov 19. Car was gift to myself for surviving the army 67 VW split window 74 to 76 sold 81 VW caddy 81 to present |
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06-25-2015, 10:38 AM
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Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Novato, CA
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All plugs today regardless of what car you drive should appear white since the gas we use today is unleaded and the 02 sensors keep the mixtures lean for the cat to run clean and pass smog.
The chart is a bit dated for when leaded fuel was the norm and oxygen sensors were unheard of. It's useless to try tuning your engine based of plug appearance like the good old days. Cheers, Joe Last edited by stlrj; 06-25-2015 at 01:22 PM.. |
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06-25-2015, 01:20 PM
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Reiver
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 57,395
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Honestly, they look good but unless you ran at wot and did a cut off inspection you are seeing your plugs at idle.
The additives in fuel today also mess up the old fashioned plug reading charts....iotw, doesn't really apply as it did in the days of lead and higher octane. OTOH, those tell me you are not burning oil (within norms) and your fuel delivery and top end specs seem consistent. Your advance/retard line looks a bit off on the one you held up tho. Should be about half way.
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De Oppresso Liber Strength and Honor 5th Legion Last edited by Reiver; 06-25-2015 at 02:01 PM.. |
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06-25-2015, 01:59 PM
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Porsche
1972 porsche 914
